The Evolution and Importance of San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay was formed by tectonic activity approximately 10,000 years ago. It's the result of water filling the geologic depression caused by the movement of the Earth's crust.

The Bay supports diverse ecosystems, including salt marshes and dune environments. Home to over 1,000 species, it's a crucial stop for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway.

This estuary is where freshwater from California’s rivers mixes with the Pacific Ocean's saltwater, creating a dynamic and productive environment with fluctuating salinity levels.

The Bay provides habitat for several endangered species like the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse and the California Clapper Rail, species found nowhere else in the world.

Efforts in the late 20th century to restore wetlands have been pivotal. The Bay's health improvement is a global model for estuarine habitat conservation.

Beneath the Bay lies the sunken ghost town of Drawbridge, once a thriving train station and hunting village, now submerged and abandoned.